19. Exploring Utah's Mormon Legacy with Paul Reeve

Dr. Paul Reeve, Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Utah, joins host Adam Camac to discuss the origins and history of Mormonism in Utah, how life in Utah has been shaped by Mormonism, and how the influence of Mormonism can be seen in Utah today.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/19.   1:32 - The founding of Mormonism, Mormonism as it developed in upstate New York, the origins of Mormonism and how Mormonism came about, Joseph Smith 3:48 - What the Second Great Awakening was and how it was connected to the founding of Mormonism 7:09 - Whether the terms Mormonism, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and LDS Church are all the same or if there are differences and distinctions between these terms 11:10 - The LDS Church and its place in Christianity, why some outsiders view it as a non-Christian cult while others view it as a Christian faith 16:39 - What caused early followers of the LDS Church to leave Upstate New York, go to Illinois, and then later settle in Utah and start spreading their religion across the American West 25:11 - Polygamy and its connection to the LDS Church, how views on polygamy have changed within the LDS Church over the years 34:10 - Brigham Young, who he was, and what his legacy is 38:03 - Utah War or Mormon War of 1857-1858, Mountain Meadows Massacre 44:36 - Members of the LDS Church getting married and having kids at younger ages, the health code for followers of the LDS Church 50:50 - Role of mission trips and proselytization efforts and how they factor into the LDS mission and the lives of LDS Church members 53:46 - The connection between the LDS Church and the Republican Party, how the Republican Party changed from previously being the anti-Mormon party of the 1800s to being extremely popular among Mormons today, why so many LDS Church members vote for Republican candidates, why LDS Church members tend to prefer more moderate Republican candidates 1:01:59 - Statistics that demonstrate how common LDS membership is in Utah and neighboring states in the American West and how influential and significant the LDS Church is in Utah in the present day 1:04:49 - Mormons in other states in the American West besides Utah, what leadership within the LDS Church looks like, who Russell M. Nelson (the current leader of the LDS Church) is 1:09:25 - Why people who become president of the LDS Church tend to be older than leaders in a lot of other areas of society 1:11:22 - Related and recommended resources